Buy a backup Sony 505 before they're extinct? - Page 2

Superlucky · 09-13-2009, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I really must disagree with you. Every 6" device uses the same screen, made on the same production line in the same factory by the same company (PVI in Taiwan). They really are all identical. How many other 6" devices have you compared side-by-side with your PRS-505?

Just the Kindle, and I could tell a difference (less contrast due to grayer background). You can tell a difference in the pictures posted by users here. Also, there are a ton of people on these forums who have several devices who all report the same differences in screen clarity.

I would think they all look the same, but they don't. I know in the case of the PRS-600 it's the touch screen that causes excess glare, but I don't know why other (non-touch screen) devices don't look as good.

HarryT · 09-13-2009, 04:13 AM

As you can see from my profile, I do have several devices, and I have to say that, used in the same lighting conditions, the background of my Opus, Gen3, and DR1000S is precisely to same shade of grey. Remember that the apparent colour of the background does vary quite a lot with the lighting; in bright light, it looks a lot "whiter" than it poor light.

Superlucky · 09-13-2009, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

As you can see from my profile, I do have several devices, and I have to say that, used in the same lighting conditions, the background of my Opus, Gen3, and DR1000S is precisely to same shade of grey. Remember that the apparent colour of the background does vary quite a lot with the lighting; in bright light, it looks a lot "whiter" than it poor light.

You might be right about the screens - and I hope you are, but I've read it here hundreds of times and I've also read it on other tech sites whenever they compare two devices. It seems that no matter what two devices the reviewer compares, s/he always comments on one's screen having better contrast, clarity, less glare etc. In my own (admittedly limited) experience there appeared to be a difference. However, I understand your larger point that liseuses are all sufficiently similar and that I should be able to find something I'm happy with if something happened to my 505.

HarryT · 09-13-2009, 04:42 AM

There certainly is a subjective difference, since different devices use different fonts; eg the Kindle 2 uses "lighter" fonts than the CyBook devices do, which makes a difference to the contrast. But there really is no difference in the actual background of the screens.

There is a difference if you go back to the PRS-500, with its first generation eInk screen. Those screens had a darker background than the current 2nd gen screens do.

joobies · 09-13-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnemicOak

Any US folks looking for a 505, or a backup 505, check Target. I just got back from one and they had the 505 on clearance for $237

It seems each store is different. My target was still 299.00. Bummer.
I ended up at Sams Club. If you bought it in store it was 249.00. Got one for my husband. I have a Kindle but have enjoyed setting up the Sony for him.

hike_gc · 09-13-2009, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bilbo1967

Personally, I wouldn't buy a back-up of something I already have as I would always be worried that something better comes out at some point in the future.

I was ready to buy the 600 until I saw the initial reviews and then purchased a 505 a few weeks ago. I really like my 505 and have to say I'm wondering if any manufacturer will come out with a model to rival it. The ereader market does seem to be heating up and hopefully it is only a matter of time until someone comes out with a device that really hits the mark with quality, features, and price. Of course being individuals with differing opinions, we would never agree on which reader is the perfect device!

Superlucky · 09-13-2009, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hike_gc

Of course being individuals with differing opinions, we would never agree on which reader is the perfect device!

Wrong. Everyone smart knows its the PRS-505. Everyone who is stupid disagrees. There is complete agreement among intelligent people with good morals.

RCR · 09-14-2009, 03:14 AM

Thanks guys. The early posts have convinced me I should keep my credit card in my pocket... maybe....maybe not....maybe....maybe not....

As a reward for all your responses -

Here's a photo of a fat old guy on Pattaya beach last week, enjoying some holiday reading on his Sony. It is of course safely sealed in a ziplok bag.

Superlucky · 09-14-2009, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RCR

Thanks guys. The early posts have convinced me I should keep my credit card in my pocket... maybe....maybe not....maybe....maybe not....

As a reward for all your responses -

Here's a photo of a fat old guy on Pattaya beach last week, enjoying some holiday reading on his Sony. It is of course safely sealed in a ziplok bag.

You're shitting me. A ziplok bag???

Yes, you should buy a backup. Anyone who would put their liseuse in a ziplock bag needs a backup. Liberate your liseuse.

I thought my grandmother was the only person on earth with plastic on her lampshades.

RCR · 09-14-2009, 04:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superlucky

You're shitting me. A ziplok bag???

Yes, you should buy a backup. Anyone who would put their liseuse in a ziplock bag needs a backup. Liberate your liseuse.

I thought my grandmother was the only person on earth with plastic on her lampshades.

The ziplok bag is just for the beach - to keep out sea spray. (I've noticed after a day on the beach that my spectacles are all salted up).

I do have an aquapac but I prefer a ziplok bag. My Sony has made many visits to the beach over the last 20 months and has come through entirely unscathed.

When it's not being used, my Sony lives in its regular cover inside a padded metal fruit cake tin. In normal use I fold back the cover and wrap the lanyard around my wrist so I can't drop it.

And your grandmother sounds like a very sensible lady.

igorsk · 09-15-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I really must disagree with you. Every 6" device uses the same screen, made on the same production line in the same factory by the same company (PVI in Taiwan). They really are all identical. How many other 6" devices have you compared side-by-side with your PRS-505?

Actually, a small(?) amount of the screens are made by LG. They look the same but you can distinguish them by the serial number (ED060SC1, ED060SC4: E-Ink, LB060S01: LG). Reportedly they are the ones that are susceptible to washing out in the sunlight.

igorsk · 09-15-2009, 07:54 PM

You can see an LG screen on the PRS-600 photos posted by nrg:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...w21iwaXCLbZnMw

JSWolf · 09-16-2009, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

I really must disagree with you. Every 6" device uses the same screen, made on the same production line in the same factory by the same company (PVI in Taiwan). They really are all identical. How many other 6" devices have you compared side-by-side with your PRS-505?

Actually, LG makes some of the screens. And it is some of these LG screens that have issues with sunlight.

RWood · 09-16-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Actually, LG makes some of the screens. And it is some of these LG screens that have issues with sunlight.

How would a customer tell (before they bought) if the screen was from PVI or LG?

SHOECHICK · 09-16-2009, 05:06 PM

I opted to buy a 2nd 505. I'd have just held on to my original but I really wanted my husband to have an e:reader. My new one will last a few years until Apple has conquered the market

09-14-2009, 03:14 AM	#23
RCR Addict Posts: 334 Karma: 992487 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia Device: 2 x Sony 505, iPad, Samsung 7 Tablet, ASUS Transformer, Nexus 7	Thanks guys. The early posts have convinced me I should keep my credit card in my pocket... maybe....maybe not....maybe....maybe not.... As a reward for all your responses - Here's a photo of a fat old guy on Pattaya beach last week, enjoying some holiday reading on his Sony. It is of course safely sealed in a ziplok bag. Attached Thumbnails

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09-13-2009, 04:13 AM	#17
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	As you can see from my profile, I do have several devices, and I have to say that, used in the same lighting conditions, the background of my Opus, Gen3, and DR1000S is precisely to same shade of grey. Remember that the apparent colour of the background does vary quite a lot with the lighting; in bright light, it looks a lot "whiter" than it poor light.

09-13-2009, 04:42 AM	#19
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,557 Karma: 93980341 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	There certainly is a subjective difference, since different devices use different fonts; eg the Kindle 2 uses "lighter" fonts than the CyBook devices do, which makes a difference to the contrast. But there really is no difference in the actual background of the screens. There is a difference if you go back to the PRS-500, with its first generation eInk screen. Those screens had a darker background than the current 2nd gen screens do.

09-15-2009, 07:54 PM	#27
igorsk Wizard Posts: 3,442 Karma: 300001 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Belgium Device: PRS-500/505/700, Kindle, Cybook Gen3, Words Gear	You can see an LG screen on the PRS-600 photos posted by nrg: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo...w21iwaXCLbZnMw

09-16-2009, 05:06 PM	#30
SHOECHICK Addict Posts: 228 Karma: 1032 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Vancouver BC Device: Red Sony 505 and Ipad	I opted to buy a 2nd 505. I'd have just held on to my original but I really wanted my husband to have an e:reader. My new one will last a few years until Apple has conquered the market